Below is a Facebook post from the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD).
From STUCK in a rut to back in The Rut! Check out this report from the field by AZGFD Pinetop Wildlife Manager Kalyn Miller: “After completing a helicopter elk survey, I got a call from Alpine Fire Department about a raghorn bull elk stuck in a 6 foot trench. I arrived and tried digging the bull elk out but the elk was not budging and was getting very tired. There was a nearby bobcat, and I asked if we could use it. The owner said of course and quickly brought it over. I tied a quick release knot around the antlers, and we slowly pulled the bull out. Once it got out of the trench, it quickly got its legs back under him. I released the knot and the bull ran off unharmed. I’m sure the bull will need a recovery day, but it won’t take him long for him to get back into the rut!”
Great work, Kalyn and thanks to the nearby homeowner for loaning us the bobcat!
Click here to see more photos of the rescue.
(Photo credit: Arizona Game & Fish Department)